The Kolkata Knight Riders announced the signing of Phil Salt as the replacement for Jason Roy for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The change in the roster comes in only a couple of weeks before the start of the new season. Roy, who was bought for INR 1.50 crore by the Knight Riders, withdrew from this year's campaign at the last moment, prompting the management to name a replacement. In a statement, Roy explained the reason behind the change, suggesting he intends to spend time with his family before going on the road once again.
"After much consideration, I have made the tough decision to miss this year's IPL. Having been away since the start of January I need to get back to my family and have a refresh before a very busy year ahead. i will be supporting my friends and teammates at KKR throughout the tournament and wish them the best of luck," Jason Roy said in a statement.
The Knight Riders also issued a statement, announcing the signing of Phil Salt as a replacement player. Salt had gone unsold in the IPL 2024 auction.
"Kolkata Knight Riders have named Phil Salt as a replacement for Jason Roy after the latter pulled out of the upcoming TATA IPL 2024 owing to personal reasons. Having remained unsold in the auction after representing Delhi Capitals last year, this will be Salt's second season in the IPL," the Indian Premier League had said in its release.
"Bought at his reserve price of INR 1.5 crore, the aggressive wicket-keeper batter from England scored two consecutive T20I centuries against the West Indies in December last year. His 48-ball century in the 4th T20I at Trinidad is also the joint-fastest for England," the release further read.